The Ohio Right to Life PAC Endorsement Process

Ohio Right to Life PAC is the “action” arm through which Ohio Right to Life seeks electoral outcomes that foster a pro-life public policy. The Ohio Right to Life Political Action Committee is the “connected PAC,” which is connected to the Ohio Right to Life Society, Inc. The endorsement criteria award a favored status for an endorsement to a pro-life, elected incumbent with a pro-life voting record. Endorsements may be withheld if the PAC concludes that a candidate is not credible or that his or her endorsement would be detrimental to ORTL or the pro-life movement.

Endorsements made by the Ohio Right to Life PAC are the product of a very lengthy, three step process. The step is the issuance of a questionnaire. After candidates file for office, the ORTL-PAC sends candidates a survey questionnaire, asking questions on their position on life-related issues. These surveys are often followed up by interviews with candidates whose survey responses indicate that they might meet the criteria for endorsement. If the candidate has a previous voting record or has made other public expressions on pro-life issues, that record is also examined.

After reviewing the responses and other relevant information, the PAC Committee considers the relevant information.It then recommends endorsements, preferences, etc. in select races.

The final stage is the ORTL Board review. The endorsements become final and official only when the Ohio Right to Life Board takes action on the PAC recommendations.

The Ohio Right to Life PAC “endorsement” signifies the ORTL PAC’s belief that a candidate is the best candidate in that race for advancing the best interests of ORTL and the the pro-life movement. A lower rating than the “endorsement,” a “preference” signifies the ORTL PAC’s belief that the election of that candidate’s opponent would be clearly more detrimental to Ohio Right to Life’s mission and the pro-life movement.